Exodus 6:30

Genealogies of Moses and Aaron · Exodus 6:14–30
Read Exodus 6

Translations

Modern
But in the LORD’s presence Moses replied, “Since I am unskilled in speech, why would Pharaoh listen to me?”
Traditional
And Moses said before the Lord, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?
Literal
And Moses said before the face of YHWH, “Behold, I am uncircumcised of lips, and how will Pharaoh listen to me?”
Latin
Et ait Moyses coram Domino: En incircumcisus labiis sum, quomodo audiet me Pharao?

Original

Hebrew
English
But in the LORD’s presence Moses replied, “Since I am unskilled in speech, why would Pharaoh listen to me?”

Notes

This section referring to family lineage places Moses and Aaron within the families of Israel. It is obviously background information because 6:30 repeats 6:12. Exodus often emphasizes the Lord as the God of the ancestors, both directly (from 3:6 onward) and indirectly (from 1:1 onward). The upcoming events were not actions by a new god dismissing older gods (a common theme in ancient pagan stories).

Unlike pagan gods, who only want personal power and often fight among themselves, the true God has one main goal. God wants his creation to find fulfillment in a proper relationship with him. Although God shows this purpose through creative acts, these actions always align with what he has already revealed about himself.

Moses and Aaron did not suddenly appear out of the unknown, but were an essential part of that same people to whom God first revealed himself and through whom he was about to give an even grander revelation. The family lineage of Jesus has a similar purpose (Matthew 1:1–16; Luke 3:23–38).

Theme notes and profiles

Egypt Moses Pharaoh

Events

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt Pharaoh: Egyptian Pharaoh during the Exodus

Glossary

Aaron Book of Exodus Circumcision Deuteronomy, Book of